Local Advisory Committee (LAC) Member Highlight: Steve Herman

Steve Herman is the Senior Vice President & Manager at California Bank & Trust. He oversees affordable housing lending, portfolio management, non-profit business banking, corporate philanthropy and the management of the Community Reinvestment program.

1. Why were you interested in joining the LAC of LA LISC? 

I have been a fan of LISC dating back to the late 1980’s. I followed their work in New York and Chicago and was excited by their efforts in Los Angeles when I moved here for graduate school in the early 1990s. Los Angeles LISC, led by Anita Landecker and later by Dr. Denise Fairchild, had helped start and grow some of the early community development organizations that still have an impact throughout many Los Angeles neighborhoods. It was an exciting time and I knew I wanted to get involved!

2. What is the best part of your job (either your organization or as a LAC member)? 

Every day is different! I enjoy building partnerships with public, private and nonprofit organizations to make a positive impact in the communities where California Bank & Trust does business. This includes investment in affordable housing, economic development and other initiatives and programs that address the challenges in low and moderate income neighborhood in California. 

3. How did you first get involved in the affordable housing/economic development sector? 

I landed a job with Rebuild Los Angeles after I finished graduate school at UCLA in 1994. Rebuild LA was funded by corporations after the 1992 civil unrest and focused on economic development strategies. Linda Griego, President and CEO, hired me to map the sites destroyed during the unrest. My GIS mapping class at UCLA paid off! I later helped start up the affordable housing lending platform at California Bank & Trust in the late 1990’s and continue to work in both the affordable housing and economic development arenas.

4. What motivates you to work hard? 

My team and family. I work with a great team of professionals at California Bank & Trust who deserve to have a hard working teammate. I am also blessed to have an amazing wife and four children that motivate me to be the best at home and work.

5. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? 

That’s a hard one…either play center midfield for the Tottenham Hotspurs (English Premier League) or paddle out and surf Malibu Point without a crowd!

6. Who is your hero? 

That’s easy… my wife. We met 30 years ago in college. She inspired me then and still does!

7. What are you most looking forward to in 2019? 

Professionally, growing California Bank & Trust’s Nonprofit Business Banking program and having an impact on the homeless crisis by financing more permanent supportive housing projects in California. Personally, watching my younger daughter graduate from High School and having two children in college!

Steven Herman, California Bank and Trust; Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, LA LISC; Joe Horiye, Program VP, LISC; Dean Matsubayashi, Executive Director, Little Tokyo Service Center

LA LISC is proud to have a longstanding relationship with California Bank & Trust, one that helps us rebuild our region’s struggling neighborhoods together. We appreciate your leadership on our Local Advisory Committee and look forward to working successfully to create vibrant, diverse, and healthy communities that improve the quality of life for Los Angeles families.

About California Bank & Trust
For more than 60 years, California Bank & Trust has been helping generations of Californians —and California businesses — grow and prosper. They help lead them to brighter and financially sound futures. Today, they’re one of California’s most dynamic and admired banks, offering guidance, collaboration, and customized options.